Postby Spiritsword » Sat Oct 01, 2005 9:03 pm
I think you put it so well, Fail_safe. Too often people see introversion as being "anti-social", or "shyness". I don't believe it is either one. I believe both can spring out of being an introvert, but don't necessarily have to and don't go hand-in-hand with it. I believe it's biological in nature as well as learned.
I consider myself very much an introvert, and this has actually led to some problems with my small group, where I feel pressured by the extrovert (in my opinion) leaders who are constantly trying to organize social events and seem to take offense if I choose to leave events early.
Personally, I just get overwhelmed in large group social situations, where there is constant pressure to interact or engage in small talk. I actually enjoy going to crowded sporting events by myself, because I can let loose but not have to interact with anyone unless I choose to. I feel very pressured and uncomfortable at parties where the push is for constant, fast-paced social interaction, and often I don't feel that extroverts (or average people) understand this.
I like to do things by myself. That shouldn't be considered weird. Going to a movie, or a restaraunt, or hiking by myself. Yet I sometimes get the feeling that others think it is weird. We live in a society that says it values independence, yet it seems to contradict this by accepting those who conform to the latest rend, pop culture, or are adept at witty conversation and socialization. Maybe that's inaccurate, but sometimes I feel that way.
And as an introvert, I do consider myself self-focused, but not selfish. I am often a generous person, I just tend to be extremely self-aware, so it is much easier and more natural for me to interpret the world through my own perceptions and experiences rather than seeing it through interactions with, or in many cases perspectives of, others.
And I don't feel that introverts are necessarily shy. I see shyness as a difficulty interacting socially though one wants to, whereas I see introversion as simply not desiring as much social interaction. Of course, one *can* be both introverted and shy, but I don't feel automatically are.